If there is one thing that I collect, it would be books.  I love books, as does my husband which inevitably means that we have a lot of bookshelves.  We even have books on our barcart.  Whether or not your shelves are used to house books, like ours, or purely decoration, I think that it is important to break them up with items that you love and are a mix of your personal taste, as well as meaning.



We have a mix of both items we've found at the usual places (ie. West Elm, Furbish Studio, etc.) and items that we've picked up on our travels (figures from our honeymoon or pottery purchased on a trip to the Middle East) or  hold a special meaning to us (look closely and you can see the cake topper from our wedding on our shelves) and, of course, pictures.  Putting our memories on shelves as it were is a lovely personal touch to our house and serves as a subtle reminder of a favorite trip, important event, and happy memory.

What most of you probably don't know is Hubs is an interior designer and an incredibly talented one at that.  Not that you'd know it from the space that we live in because mostly I spend my time derailing all of this grand plans with my musings and un-executeable requests that most of the time don't make sense for our space.  Not to mention we have differing tastes (although over the years they've melded a bit more) and agreeing on something takes nothing less than a peace summit.  It's taken me over 4 years of living together to acknowledge this and I wouldn't dare tell him (and he rarely reads my blog, so he may never know that I have admitted this).  The point of this rambling is that I really gave him full on creative license for Baby Mac's room.  Boys rooms are really not as creatively fun as girl rooms (in my opinion) and honestly I had NO idea where to start.  Let me take that back, I knew where to start, but my original plans couldn't be executed per usual.  So Hubs toiled thanklessly for months to paint and outfit our little one's room and re-organize our home to accommodate the newest addition.  (Making room in our townhome was an endeavor in and of itself that is still going on).  He did an amazing job and I am so incredibly excited about the outcome.

What was important to us was that the room not be uber cutesy baby.  No huge cartoon animals on the walls, no pastels-it's just not our style and we figured that he'd have his whole young life to want rooms that were themed in the latest movie or fad that kids are into.  We wanted the nursery to be an extension of our home.  And with that, we decided on classic americana (aka Planes, Trains, and Automobiles).

                    

A blog that I follow, A Piece of Toast, opened my eyes to a website called The Glow.  I'm a lover of gorgeous photography and am constantly inspired and in awe of women who 'do it all'.

[Photos from The Glow]

The true test of a relationship (beyond international travel and pregnancy) is cohabitation.  Specifically, the sharing of one's closet space.  I'd like to say that Hubs and I have survived that test with minimal collateral damage, but our closet space is precious and dwindling to say the very least.  In our next home (coming sooner rather than later), my ONE stipulation is enough space for a rocking closet.  And my inspiration? Check out these gorgeous pictures.

 

 

Meet E, Blogger over at Strawberry Swing and Other Things!  E has a keen sense of style and just so fabulous that she shares her how-tos, design, fashion, and beauty with the rest of us.  She's just so fabulous that you almost want to hate her, but you just can't because she's so awesome.  You should absolutely check her out!



Hi Everyone!  I'm so excited to be guest posting today at Haute Child in the City!  I go by E Hayes and I blog over at Strawberry Swing and Other Things.  I like to refer to myself as a random blogger as I love to write about a mix things, usually shopping, decorating, and crafting. 



1. I pretty much love everything about your eye for design and style. How would you your describe your style and where you find your inspiration for style and design?
Aww, shucks... thanks Chelsea.  I always break down style into two categories - fashion and home.  However, these things totally go hand and hand (have you seen 'Secrets of a Stylist' on HGTV?!).   I have a strong connection and am just naturally drawn to anything that I like to call Beachy Chic.
I grew up at the Jersey Shore and while I'm not into all things wicker or lamps shaped as seashells (or juiced up gorillas), there is something about light cool colors (blues, greys, navys, tan/sand, grassy greens, and crisp linen whites) that just draw me in.  It's no coincidence my favorite colors to dress, decorate, and even plan my wedding revolve around this connection to the place I'll always call home - the beach.























Gearing more into fashion, I'm definitely a tomboy at heart.  It's rare that you'll ever catch me in a dress or a skirt outside of a special event.  My favorite styled celebs are those who I'd refer to as 'California Cool'... casual yet put together.  Lauren Conrad, Rachel Bilson, and Jennifer Aniston definitely have the style I feel most connected too.  It's not overly girly or prissy (which I am far from - pink can activate my gag reflex), nor is it too edgy or 'city' girl like....







 

 





2. What is your must-have beauty product? 
So hard to pick just one!  When I think "beauty" product, I tend to think of make up over skincare, so my must-have beauty product would probably have to be Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Liner.  Screw the mascara, blush, and lip gloss.  If I had to run out of the house at a moment's notice, this would be the only thing I'd throw on.... and it would last all day.  Definitely a HG product.

3. What are your currently lusting after for Fall/Winter?
Since this post is already getting pretty photo heavy, I'll just list one thing. (SO HARD!)  It's tan heeled oxfords.  I don't know why, but I'm am just L-O-V-ING these styles.  Now, just time to pick a pair!

 

4. What is must-have for any wardrobe this Fall?
While some trends like leopard or (flat) loafers are HUGE for Fall, they are two I'll be skipping out on.    Instead, I'll be trying Red Pants, Oxfords (see above), Capes, and and Deep Jewel Tones.

 



 

 


Let's do this backwards.  My go-to stores are Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and J.Crew.  It's no secret I love Anthropologie and it's mainly because they follow the trends you can find at the usual mall retailers, but their offering is always unique to anything else out there.  When everyone in the office is dressed by Express and Ann Taylor, Anthro still has plenty of options that can guarantee you won't be a clone of the girl in the cubicle next to you.  Urban is a gem for lower priced random finds... belts, scarves, dresses, and tops.  And J.Crew speaks to my inner prep, I love me a good cardigan.
My favorite designers would be Rebecca Taylor, Marc Jacobs, Milly, and Tucker.  Sure the high end stuff is great, but completely unattainable.  While I also usually lust over these designers from afar, they would be the first to join my closet given the chance.

6. I love your most recent closet re-vamp. Any advice for how to tackle such a large under-taking? And what’s next on your list?


My advice would be to make sure you are fully motivated.... It's easy to want to take short cuts, but they will usually come back to bite to you in the kisser.  Also, make sure you plan out your course of action before you start on the project, this will hopefully bring any issues up to the surface before you run into them midway through and have to spend more money to solve them.
The next 'big' project is revamping our guest bathroom.  It's pretty neglected.  Again, it's not going to get any major renovation, just a lot of making over and using what we already have...

7. What are three things you couldn’t live without? (This could be people, items, etc.)?
My first pick is three things, so I'm lumping them together since they are sort of a package deal:  The Husband and the Pups.
My second pick is probably the only thing I'd bring with me to a bomb shelter:  Double Stuf Oreos.  (I've been known to eat entire packages in 2 days flat)...
My third pick would have to be the place that makes me happiest (aside from being with #1):  The beach.



Thanks so much Chelsea for allowing me to be a guest blogger!  I had a blast answering these questions.  I hope your readers didn't get tired from my long winded answers.... I'm known to be a rambler!   Thanks!

Thanks again E!! Don't forget to check out her blog here or Follow her on Twitter.